Make us your first port of call

Tim Church, President, Association of United States Representatives Abroad (AURA) explains how AURA’s member network can provide prospective investors from the US with a useful first point of contact in the UK

AURA is an informal association of US state and county representatives in the UK. It was established by the US Commercial Service in London more than eight years ago. There are nearly 50 US state, county and city members covering a wide geographic area in the US. In addition, AURA now has around 90 commercial and private sector members, giving us a total membership of over 140.

The different state, city and county offices provide a wide range of services for companies wishing to trade with or invest in their particular region. Many of these offices will also help organize inward and outward trade missions. In addition, some of the offices offer a tourism service for either or both the trader and consumer.

AURA also maintains strong links with the Council of American States in Europe (CASE) based in Frankfurt, Germany. This link gives AURA commercial members and contacts access to virtually every US representative office covering the UK.

For US companies wishing to trade or invest in the UK, AURA can point them in the right direction. We work closely with the US Commercial Service on the trade development area and we have excellent relationships with the UK investment organizations, including UK Trade & Investment, and many of the UK Regional Development Authorities such as Think London and SEEDA who will advise on inward investment issues.

AURA works with other organizations such as the Institute of Directors, local Chambers of Commerce and UK government departments to present US-UK business opportunities on a regular basis. Although our state, county and city members are potential competitors for inward investment (in truth, conflict seldom occurs), we are all committed to helping US-UK trade and investment, and we believe that exchanging ideas, information and contacts is to the benefit of all.

The US Embassy Commercial Service also uses our e-mail member notices to distribute important or relevant information from the US government. We warmly welcome all new members who have a specific interest in doing business in the UK or with any UK companies and organizations.

For more information about AURA please contact:
Tim Church
ED Alliance
72 Charlotte Street
London, W1T 4QQ
Tel: +44 (0)20 7636 3708
E-mail: timchurch@edalliance.co.uk

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